GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Senita Lenear has won outright a four-year City Commission term representing the Third Ward, earning more than 50 percent of the vote necessary to claim the seat without a November general election.

The former Grand Rapids school board president, who earlier this summer resigned to focus on her city campaign, took 59 percent of the vote in a Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary. By getting more than half of the vote, she defeated the runner-up, Michael Tuffelmire.

Tuffelmire, a community activist who spearheaded last year’s successful campaign to decriminalize marijuana in Grand Rapids, got 36 percent of the vote. A third candidate, waitress Annette Ries, got 5 percent.

Several voters interviewed by MLive expressed familiarity with Lenear through connections at church or other circles, and that network of support proved far too much for progressive activist Tuffelmire to overcome.

“I do know these people, so it wasn’t very difficult for people to make a decision on who to support,” Lenear said. “(Of my job as commissioner) they will say that Senita listened to them and responded to their needs.”

Lenear will become the first African-American female to sit on the seven-member commission. She will replace Commissioner James White, who did not seek re-election.

“We need to have folks that represent the whole community, especially the African-American community,” Laura Carpenter said after voting for Lenear at First Christian Reformed Church, across the street from Tuffelmire’s residence. “And I’m a Christian (like Lenear).

“I feel like she’s invested in the community. She’s putting her whole self out there. She seems to be an effective presence for the community.”

Two words influenced the Rev. Albert Hamstra’s vote for Lenear: “Black female.” The Christian Reformed Church pastor said “it matters to me to have diverse people in leadership.” Plus, he’s familiar with Lenear’s husband, the Rev. Dallas Lenear, executive pastor of New Hope Baptist Church.

“We’re kind of assuming that she has the same positions and morals as her husband,” Mindy Hamstra said after voting at Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church.

Julie Scott said Lenear talked about her campaign at Messiah Missionary Baptist Church and “made a good impression on me.” Others respected the job Lenear did as a school board leader.

“When there were hard decisions to be made, I thought she made them with good conscience,” said Carol Ward, who voted for Lenear with her husband, Mac.

Tuffelmire experienced electoral success last November after spearheading a marijuana decriminalization campaign that won 60-percent support at the polls, with the strongest support coming from the city's Third Ward.

Mac Ward called Tuffelmire a “very good candidate” that would do a good job if he got elected. But Ward “strongly disagreed with his position on legalizing marijuana.” (City voters in November 2012 voted to decriminalize marijuana, not legalize it.)

The scene at Tuffelmire's home on Bates Street SE where several supporters gathered Tuesday was quiet as the final results were tallied.

“We both campaigned hard. She was a public official before me. She has a little more time under her belt, a little bit more recognition. That could help. I think we’ve run more of a ground game and I’m proud of what we’ve done.”

Lenear got the most votes in 20 of 21 precincts, while Tuffelmire was tops in precinct No. 55 near Grand Rapids Christian High School. Tuffelmire also was nearly even with Lenear in precincts 54 and 69 on either side of Breton Road between Burton and 28th streets.